Not too much to report on for the home waters, but the fishing in Alaska is OFF THE HOOK!!  If you've never had the chance to fish Alaska for Rainbows and Dollies, you are missing out!! Not to worry though, Stonefly Anglers will be offering all-inclusive (including flights) fishing packages to Alaska beginning in 2011!!  We will be leading these trips in conjunction with a local Kenai Peninsula Lodge and their highly experienced guides.  Stonefly Anglers knows that looking for the right lodge and guides can be horribly daunting, and that's why we have done all the work for you.  We not only meet with the lodges beforehand but we also fish with some of the guides.  We want to make sure this trip, is a trip of a lifetime you'll never forget.  Fly fishing in Alaska can be a terribly tough experience if you don't know what you're doing.  A good guide who can teach Alaskan techniques and take you where the fish are is invaluable. 

Stonefly Anglers will have the perfect lodge and guides selected within this month, and plans for next year's first trip will be under way.  We promise to provide a HIGH QUALITY Alaskan fishing experience for you.  Keep checkin back in with the website for more details about ALASKA!!!

HUGE HIGH FIVE TO GUIDE, JOE, FOR HIS AWESOMELY MAD SKILLS ON THE KENAI.  THIS GUY WILL PUT YOU ON FISH WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!!! MANY, MANY THANKS TO HIM AND TO STEVE AND MONIKA WITH SOLDOTNA'S GREAT B&B LODGE AND ALASKA FISHING CHARTER.   

TIGHT LINES MIS AMIGOS!

Summer is here but not for long!  Fall fishing will soon be arriving, and the killer hatches we waited all winter and spring for will be gone.  Get out there before it's too late!!  The fishing has been fantastic this season, but some weather watching and planning have been essential for success.  With these major torrential downpours, it is a must to keep an eye on the black cloud rolling over the hill.  Flash flooding can occur at anytime, especially with these heavy rainstorms.  Things look calm for the next few days, so leave the comforts of the homestead and splash around a bit.  You're not going to catch anything with dry fly line.  It must be in the water.  

"The one great ingredient in successful fly-fishing is patience. The man whose fly is always on the water has the best chance. There is always a chance of a fish or two, no matter how hopeless it looks. You never know what may happen in fly-fishing."
 - Francis Francis

Sometimes when rivers are blown out, have high flows, or fishing is slow, you can't beat hitting private waters like Sunshine Springs.  Pictured above are two awesome fish Mike landed during a morning of fishing at Sunshine.  With proper management, fisheries like Sunshine Springs provide fantastic fishing all season long.  Hats off to Dave Torkelson for his magnificent fishery management that has created world class fishing at it's best!  Let's face it, sometimes a person has to get their big fish fix. If that's the case, Sunshine Springs has it all.

Our rivers have been fluctuating a great deal the last week.  The Unc below the dam has been off color, however flows in the 300s have maintained great fishing.  The Unc from Cow Creek down is pretty much blown out and fishing slow.  The San Miguel and Cimarron Rivers have both been significantly affected by the rainfall, however the weather report shows good news.  With the rain subsiding, the rivers will come down and fishing should be on like Donkey Kong! 

The Gunny is still running in the 600s through the Black Canyon and fishing great.  If you've never fished this cfs level, you must.  This year has been one of the most consistent for the canyon.  It's almost a sure bet that your net will be wet in the Black Canyon. 

The Lake Fork of the Gunnison is fishing GREAT!  Low flows, clear water, and hungry fish have been producing awesome days on the river.  The Taylor River still has low flows and clear water.  Lots of fishermen on the public stretches, so if you want a little solitude for this river, call us about fishing the private waters of Harmel's Ranch.  Like Sunshine Springs, this fishery is managed very well and the fishing is outstanding all season long. 

All the high mountain rivers, streams, and creeks are touch and go.  Always check the weather patterns before heading out.  You might be disappointed if you don't. 

"All Americans believe that they are born fishermen.  For a man to admit a distaste for fishing would be like denouncing mother-love or hating moonlight."
  -John Steinbeck

Although the rainy season is upon us and stream flows are fluctuating a great deal, the fishing has remained good to great!  The hardest part about the rain is simply getting out in it.  Once you're on the river and in the element, you really don't even notice how bad it really is, unless of course lightning is visible.  People, if lightning is around, don't be the tough guy and stay out.  If you don't find shelter, flesh patterns could be the ticket for the rest of us!  

The Uncompahgre River is fishing GREAT!  Awesome Caddis hatches are kickin in towards the afternoon and evening, midges of course all day long, PMDs are here and prevalent in the morning and afternoons, and lastly the grasshoppers are ROCKIN AND ROLLIN!!!!! Double fly action with a hopper on top and a small dropper subsurface is worth the extra tangles and knots.  YOU CAN'T BEAT A HOPPER DROPPER COMBO!  As you can tell, I love the double rig adventure.  There's a reason for it:)

Green Drakes are comin on in the afternoons and LATE evenings on the Taylor River.  LATE is capitalized for a reason.  Stay till dark and you'll never regret it.  THANK YOU SHEON FOR THE TIP!! Terrestrials are also great this time of the year so hopper it up my friends.  The Taylor River also has a great Red Quill hatch that usually is sporadic through July and August but can be stellar if caught.  Never forget the Caddis.  Here, they seem to be great all day long! 

The Lake Fork my friends is off the hook.  If you've never whetted a line here, YOU MUST!  Stop in and see Dan at Dan's fly shop in Lake City and I have no doubts he'll put you on fish.  Right now, the Lake Fork is seeing great PMD, Caddis, few Green and Gray Drakes, killer BWO hatches, and of course, Terrestrials. For current patterns call Dan.  

The San Miguel has been a roller-coaster the past two weeks.  Because it is a freestone, the slightest rain storm can through it off.  Good thing is though, it cleans up quick and good fishing returns.  Caddis in the afternoon and evening, PMDs in the morning and afternoon, and killer Terrestrial action from late morning till dark will keep the reel squealin and the net wet!  

Like the San Miguel, the Cimarron is very touchy (even though it's a dammed river).  With all the mountain creeks draining into the river it only takes a little rain and things change mighty quick.  Because of all the tributaries, it seems to not clean up as quick as other high mountain streams.  Watch the weather closely and careful with flash flooding.  

The Gunnison River is still fishing great with low flows to boot! Little Yellow Stoneflies are here for only a short while longer, as are the Green Drakes.  The Caddis hatch has been awesome and is a sure bet in the afternoons and evenings.  PMDs are starting to slow down with morning and afternoons being the best times to match the hatch.  BWOs have been AWESOME in the mornings and afternoons, Terrestrials are unbeatable (hoppers and ants), and Red Quills are on the move in the morning and evenings.  

We are in it mis amigos!  This is an awesome time of year to splash around and throw some line!! 

"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man"
  -Herbert Hoover

FISH ON!!

 

I must admit, the heat makes things tougher. Not necessarily with fishing or catching, but our ability to endure the element.  A little trick that might help you stay out longer is to keep a cool wet handkerchief around your neck.  River water is cool and a perfect soaking agent.  ALWAYS have on good head protection!  The sun's rays can be deadly, and you'll find it's easier to stay out with good head, ear, neck and face protection. 

Again, if things are too hot for you, adapt.  The high country is a great bet or if you can't get there, early mornings and late evenings are super pleasant in those lower areas.  Sometimes we find ourselves spending too much time doing yard and house work in the summer.  Read the following quote and make your own decision about priorities.

"Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land.  It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn." 
    - Chuck Clark

HOW GREATLY WE MUST CHANGE!